Vehicle assembly and method of allocating power in the same

ABSTRACT

A vehicle assembly and method for allocating power in the same is disclosed. A plurality of vehicle seats each have heating zones disposed in cushion and back seating surfaces of the vehicle seats. A controller controls power to the heating zones. At least two of the heating zones are activated such that the heating zones emit heat. Heat demand information associated with the activated healing zones is generated. The generated heat demand information is provided to the controller. The controller is utilized to determine an amount of power available for consumption by all of the activated heating zones using the heat demand information. The controller actively allocates power between the activated heating zones according to the determined amount of power available such that an actual amount of power consumed by all of the activated heating zones does not exceed the determined amount of power available.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention generally relates to a vehicle assembly having aplurality of heating zones, and more specifically, a method ofallocating power between the plurality of heating zones.

2. Description of Related Art

Many vehicle assemblies currently include a component, such as a seat,that has heating zones. For seats, the heating zones are typicallydisposed in seat cushions and seat backs of the seat. The heating zonesinclude a heating source disposed therein for emitting heat in therespective seat cushions and/or seat backs when the heating zones areactivated.

Conventional vehicle assemblies provide little control over howelectrical power is distributed to each of the heating zones. Someconventional vehicle assemblies merely provide manual control oradjustability over the power distribution to the heating zones. Forexample, such vehicle assemblies may only provide a switch for enablinga vehicle occupant to control the amount of power to the heating zone.

Vehicles are becoming increasingly dependent upon electrical power. Thisis especially true for electric vehicles, such as hybrid electricvehicles (HEVs), plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), and battery electricvehicles (BEVs). In such vehicles, the power which is available forconsumption is in short supply. Therefore, efficient and intelligentpower management of heating zones is critical.

However, conventional vehicle assemblies inefficiently allocate powerbetween activated heating zones. Such inefficiency in allocating poweris unfavorable in such electric vehicles having limited available power.Conventional vehicle assemblies disadvantageously consume excessiveamounts of power. Furthermore, conventional vehicle assembliesinadequately distribute available vehicle power to activated heatingzones. As such, conventional vehicle assemblies do not sufficientlyproduce optimal comfort to occupants interfacing with the heating zones.Additionally, conventional vehicle assemblies disadvantageously reducethe ability to manage overall power consumption in the vehicle.

Therefore, there remains an opportunity to develop a vehicle assemblyand method of allocating power between heating zones in the vehicleassembly which avoids at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

In one embodiment, the subject invention provides a vehicle assemblyincluding at least one vehicle component. A plurality of heating zonesare defined by the at least one vehicle component. Each of the heatingzones is configured to be activated and emit heat. A controller isconfigured to control power to the plurality of heating zones. Thecontroller is configured to receive heat demand information generated inrelation to the activated heating zones. The controller is configured todetermine an amount of power available for consumption by all of theactivated heating zones using the heat demand information. Thecontroller is configured to actively allocate power between theactivated heating zones according to the determined amount of poweravailable such that an actual amount of power consumed by all of theactivated heating zones does not exceed the determined amount of poweravailable.

In another embodiment, the subject invention provides a vehicle assemblyincluding a plurality of vehicle seats. Each of the plurality of vehicleseats has a cushion seating surface and a back seating surface. Each ofa plurality of heating zones are disposed in at least one of the cushionand the back seating surfaces of at least one of the plurality ofvehicle seats. Each of the heating zones is configured to be activatedand emit heat. A controller is configured to control power to theplurality of heating zones. The controller is configured to receive heatdemand information generated in relation to the activated heating zones.The controller is configured to determine an amount of power availablefor consumption by all of the activated heating zones using the heatdemand information. The controller is configured to actively allocatepower between the activated heating zones according to the determinedamount of power available such that an actual amount of power consumedby all of the activated heating zones does not exceed the determinedamount of power available.

Additionally, the subject invention provides a method of allocatingpower in a vehicle assembly. The vehicle assembly includes a pluralityof vehicle seats each having a cushion seating surface and a backseating surface. Each of a plurality of heating zones are disposed in atleast one of the cushion and back seating surfaces of at least one ofthe plurality of vehicle seats. A controller is configured to controlpower to the plurality of heating zones. The method includes the step ofactivating at least two of the plurality of heating zones such that theheating zones emit heat. The method includes the step of generating heatdemand information associated with the activated heating zones. Themethod includes the step of providing the generated heat demandinformation to the controller. The method includes the step of utilizingthe controller to determine an amount of power available for consumptionby all of the activated heating zones using the heat demand information.Furthermore, the method includes the step of actively allocating powerbetween the activated heating zones according to the determined amountof power available such that an actual amount of power consumed by allof the activated heating zones does not exceed the determined amount ofpower available.

Accordingly, the vehicle assembly and method provide efficient powermanagement between the activated heating zones, especially for vehicleshaving limited electrical power, such as electric vehicles. By havingthe controller configured to determine the amount of power available forconsumption using the heat demand information, the vehicle assembly andmethod intelligently, dynamically, and efficiently determine the amountof power that is available for consumption by each of the activatedheating zones. Furthermore, by having the controller actively allocatepower between the activated heating zones such that the actual amount ofpower consumed by all of the activated heating zones does not exceed thedetermined amount of power available, the vehicle assembly and methodeffectively reduce the actual amount of power consumed by all of theactivated heating zones. The vehicle assembly and method advantageouslyimprove heating response times in activated heating zones. Moreover, thevehicle assembly and method provide greater control over how electricalpower is consumed by and between the activated heating zones. As such,by controlling the actual amount of power consumed, the vehicle assemblyand method increase the ability to manage overall electrical powerconsumption in vehicle electrical systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle assembly including a plurality ofheating zones each disposed in a cushion seating surface or a backseating surface of one of a plurality of vehicle seats and a controllerfor receiving heat demand information generated in relation to theactivated heating zones, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a switching device of the controller incommunication with the heating zones in one of the vehicle seats,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is graph showing a determined amount of power available forconsumption by all of the activated heating zones in relation torespective actual amounts of power consumed by first and secondactivated heating zones, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is graph showing the determined amount of power available forconsumption by all of the activated heating zones based on a powerconsumption limit, according to one embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of allocating power in thevehicle assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a vehicle assembly isgenerally shown at 10. A method 50 of allocating power in the vehicleassembly 10 is further provided, as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle assembly 10 includes at least onevehicle component 12. The at least one vehicle component 12 is furtherdefined as at least one of a vehicle seat 14, a steering wheel, amirror, and a window. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the at leastone vehicle component 12 includes a plurality of vehicle seats 14. Eachof the plurality of vehicle seats 14 has a cushion seating surface 16and a back seating surface 18.

The vehicle assembly 10 includes a plurality of heating zones 20. Theplurality of heating zones 20 are defined by the at least one vehiclecomponent 12. Each of the heating zones 20 is configured to be activatedand emit heat. For simplicity, the at least one vehicle component 12will be hereinafter described and numbered according to the plurality ofvehicle seats 14, as shown in FIG. 1, and the plurality of heating zones20 will be described in relation to the plurality of vehicles seats 14.

Each of the plurality of heating zones 20 are disposed in at least oneof the cushion and back seating surfaces 16, 18 of at least one of theplurality of vehicle seats 14. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1,each of the cushion and back seating surfaces 16, 18 includes one of theplurality of heating zones 20. The plurality of heating zones 20 may bedistributed among the plurality of vehicle seats 14 according to otherconfigurations not specifically described herein without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Furthermore, the plurality of heating zones20 may be distributed among any combination of vehicle components 12,such as the vehicle seat 14, the steering wheel, the mirror, and thewindow.

The vehicle assembly 10 includes a controller 22 which is incommunication with the plurality of heating zones 20. The controller 22is configured to control power to the plurality of heating zones 20. Thecontroller 22 may be further defined as an electronic control unit(ECU). The controller 22 may include any suitable components or devices,such as microcontroller unit (MCU), for enabling the controller 22 tooperate as described herein. Communication between the controller 22 andthe various components described herein may be implemented according toany suitable communication method, such as controller area network (CAN)or local interconnect network (LIN).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle assembly 10 includes asingle controller 22 which is in communication with the plurality ofheating zones 20. In this embodiment, one controller 22 is shared amongthe plurality of heating zones 20. In another embodiment, the vehicleassembly 10 may include more than one controller 22. For example, thevehicle assembly 10 may include one controller 22 in communication withsome of the heating zones 20 and another controller 22 in communicationwith other heating zones. In yet another embodiment, the each vehicleseat 14 may include a separate and dedicated controller 22. Theplurality of controllers 22 may be in communication with one another.The vehicle assembly 22 may include various other controller(s) 22layouts without departing from the scope of the invention.

A power source 24 is in communication with the controller 22 and isconfigured to provide power to the plurality of heating zones 20 and/orthe controller 22. Typically, the power source 24 is further defined asa direct current (DC) power source, such as a vehicle battery.

Each of the plurality of heating zones 20 includes a heating source 26disposed therein. The heating sources 26 are electrically connected tothe controller 22. Each of the heating sources 26 is electricallyactuatable and configured to emit heat in the respective heating zone20. In one embodiment, each of the heating sources 26 is further definedas a heating element which is made of wire. The heating source 26 may bearranged in a grid or serpentine configuration throughout the respectiveheating zone 20.

A user input 28 may be in communication with the controller 22. In oneembodiment, the user input 28 is configured to activate the heatingzones 20. The user input 28 may be provided from any suitable device,such as an occupant switch or control panel. The user input 28 providesa signal to the controller 22 defining which of the heating zones 20have been selected for activation. Additionally, the signal from theuser input 28 may define the desired heating level, e.g., low, medium,high, associated with each of the activated heating zones 20. The userinput 28 may provide other information to the controller 22 withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

A temperature sensor 30 may be in communication with the controller 22for sensing a temperature of one of the activated heating zones 20. Thetemperature sensor 30 may be disposed in each of the activated heatingzones 20. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 30 may be disposed insome of the activated heating zones 20 and not others. In oneembodiment, the temperature sensor 30 is further defined as athermistor, such as a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor.However, the temperature sensor 30 may have other configurations withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method 50 of allocating power in the vehicleassembly 10 includes a step 52 of activating the heating zones 20. Morespecifically, the step 52 of activating the heating zones 20 is furtherdefined as activating at least two of the plurality of heating zones 20such that the heating zones 20 emit heat. In one embodiment, the userinput 28 triggers activation of the heating zones 20. In anotherembodiment, the controller 22 triggers activation of the heating zones20. The heating zones 20 may be activated according to any suitablemethod not specifically recited herein.

With activation of the heating zones 20, power is provided from thepower source 24 to the heating zones 20. Each of the heating sources 26are electrically actuated such that each heating source 26 emits heat inthe respective heating zone 20. In embodiments where power is providedto the wire heating element, electrical current passes through the wireheating element causing the wire heating element to generate heat. Powermay be provided to the heating zones 20 before activation of the heatingzones 20 without departing from the scope of the invention.

The method 50 of allocating power in the vehicle assembly 10 includes astep 54 of generating heat demand information associated with theactivated heating zones 20. The heat demand information may be generatedaccording to any one or a combination of the following embodiments.

In one embodiment, as shown at step 56, the heat demand information isgenerated by sensing the temperature of each of the activated heatingzones 20. In such instances, the heat demand information is furtherdefined as of the temperature of at least one of the activated heatingzones 20. The temperature sensor 30 may be implemented for sensing thetemperature of any number of the activated heating zones 20.

In another embodiment, as shown at step 58, the heat demand informationis generated by measuring an actual amount of power consumed by each ofthe activated heating zones 20. Here, the heat demand information isfurther defined as the actual amount of power consumed by each of theheating zones 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle assembly 10 mayinclude a power monitor 32 which is configured to measure the actualamount of power consumed by each of the activated heating zones 20. Inthe embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the power monitor 32 is integrated aspart of the controller 22. In another embodiment, the power monitor 32is separated from and in communication with the controller 22. Thevehicle assembly 10 may include the power monitor 32 for measuring powerconsumed by the various electrical subsystems in the vehicle. Thevehicle assembly 10 may employ any other suitable device and/or methodfor measuring the actual amount of power consumed by each of the heatingzones 20.

In yet another embodiment, and as shown at step 60, the heat demandinformation is generated by determining an amount of power to beconsumed by each of the heating zones 20. In such instances, the heatdemand information is further defined as the amount of power to beconsumed by each of the activated heating zones 20. The amount of powerto be consumed may be predefined information stored in memory. Theamount of power to be consumed may be provided from any suitable device,such as the controller 22 and/or the power monitor 32. Such predefinedinformation may be based upon amounts of power historically consumed byeach of the heating zones 20. For example, a specific heating zone 20may historically consume 50 watts of power under certain circumstances.Such historic power consumption information may be stored in memory andaccessed for future reference. The amount of power to be consumed mayalso be based on predefined design configuration information, such as aheating area defined by each of the heating zones 20. For example, theheating area defined by one of the heating zones 20 may be larger orsmaller than the heating area defined by another one of the heatingzones 20. Information regarding the size of the heating area may bestored in memory and accessed for future reference when determining theamount of power to be consumed. The amount of power to be consumed mayalso be based on predefined heating densities of various heating sources26.

In another embodiment, as shown at step 62, the heat demand informationis generated by receiving the signal provided from the user input 28.Here, the heat demand information may include signal informationrepresenting which of the heating zones 20 are activated, as shown atstep 64, and/or the desired heating level associated with each of theactivated heating zones 20, as shown at step 66.

As previously mentioned, the heat demand information may be generatedfrom any single one or combination of the aforementioned embodiments.The heat demand information may be generated simultaneously or atdifferent periods of time. Furthermore, the heat demand information maybe generated at the controller 22 itself or at the various components incommunication with the controller 22.

In conjunction with the heat demand information, power demandinformation associated with other vehicle components and/or electricalsystems 67 may be generated, as shown at step 68. Referring to FIG. 1,such other electrical systems 67 are part of the vehicle assembly 10 butgenerally do not include the heating zones 20. Such other vehicleelectrical systems 67 may include components from HVAC systems, vehiclelighting systems, infotainment systems, powertrain systems, and thelike. These other vehicle electrical systems 67 demand and consumepower. The power demand information generated with respect to such othervehicle electrical systems 67 may include any information generallyrelating to how much power is being demanded or consumed by such othervehicle electrical systems 67. Taking into account the power demand ofother vehicle electrical system 67 increases the ability to manageoverall electrical power consumption in the electrical system of thevehicle assembly 10.

The controller 22 is configured to receive the heat demand informationgenerated in relation to the activated heating zones 20. As shown atstep 70, the generated heat demand information is provided to thecontroller 22. The generated heat demand information may be provided tothe controller 22 simultaneously or at different times. Additionally,the heat demand information may be provided to the controller 22 fromthe controller 22 itself or from the various components in communicationwith the controller 22. The controller 22 may include any suitablecomponents for receiving the generated heat demand information. As shownat step 72, the generated power demand information associated with theother vehicle electrical systems 67 may be provided to the controller 22in conjunction with the heat demand information.

The controller 22 is configured to determine an amount of poweravailable for consumption by all of the activated heating zones 20 usingthe generated heat demand information. The method 50 of allocating powerin the vehicle assembly 10 includes the step of utilizing the controller22 to determine the amount of power available for consumption by all ofthe activated heating zones 20 using the generated heat demandinformation, as shown at 74. As will be described below, the controller22 analyzes the generated heat demand information and activelyestablishes how much power to allocate towards the activated heatingzones 20.

In one embodiment, the vehicle assembly 10 may include a plurality ofpower consumption limits which are selectable. As shown at step 78, thecontroller 22 determines the amount of power available for consumptionby selecting one of the plurality of power consumption limits. Anexample of the power consumption limit is shown in the graph of FIG. 4.The power consumption limits are generally predefined. Each of thepredefined power consumption limits may correspond to one of a number ofcombinations of heat demand information received by the controller 22.The power consumption limit may be defined according to any suitableparameter, such as percentage of total vehicle power available. Forexample, the power consumption limits may be defined as 50%, 25%, or 10%of the total vehicle power available. The power consumption limits maybe included in the controller 22 itself or in any other suitablecomponent which is in communication with the controller 22.

In conjunction with the heat demand information, the controller 22 mayalso be configured to determine the amount of power available forconsumption by all of the activated heating zones 20 using the powerdemand information generated in association with other vehiclecomponents and/or electrical systems 67, as shown at step 80. Thecontroller 22 is configured to receive the power demand information fromthe other vehicle electrical systems 67 and/or from the power monitor32. The controller 22 may take the power demand information into accountwhen selecting one of the plurality of power consumption limits.

The controller 22 may determine the amount of power available forconsumption according to any single one of or any combination of theaforementioned embodiments. Furthermore, the controller 22 may determinethe amount of power available for consumption using the heat demandinformation according to any other suitable methods not specificallyrecited herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

The controller 22 is configured to actively allocate power between theactivated heating zones 20 according to the determined amount of poweravailable for consumption. The method 50 of allocating power in thevehicle assembly 10 includes the step 82 of actively allocating powerbetween the activated heating zones 20 according to the determinedamount of power available. As depicted in the graph shown in FIG. 3, thecontroller actively allocates power between the activated heating zones20 such that an actual amount of power consumed by all of the activatedheating zones 20 does not exceed the determined amount of poweravailable. For example, if the determined amount of power available is200 watts, the controller 22 allocates power such that the activatedheating zones 20 in combination consume power in the range between 0 and200 watts, but not exceeding 200 watts. The controller 22 is configuredto actively allocate power between the activated heating zones 20according to the determined amount of power available by utilizing ofany single one of or combination of the following methods.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 22 may be in communication with oneor a plurality of switching devices 86 for facilitating activeallocation of power to each respective activated heating zone 20. Theplurality of switching devices 86 may be further defined as transistors,such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs).The switching devices 86 are operatively connected between thecontroller 22 and the respective heating zones 20. The switching devices86 may be housed within a single switching unit 87 disposed within thecontroller 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the switching devices 86 areoperatively connected between the controller 22 and the heating sources26 disposed within the respective heating zones 20. The heating sources26 each include a high side which is connected to a supply path 88 fromthe power source 24 and a low side which is connected to a return path90 to the power source 24. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, oneswitching device 86 is disposed between the supply path 88 and the highside of each heating source 26. The low side of each of the heatingsources 26 is shared by one of the switching devices 86. As such, oneswitching device 86 is disposed between the low side of each heatingsource 26 and the return path 90. Such a configuration allows thecontroller 22 greater control in actively allocating power to theactivated heating zones 20. The vehicle assembly 10 and/or controller 22may employ any other suitable switching devices not specificallydescribed herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

The controller 22 is configured to allocate power between the activatedheating zone 20 in one of the cushion and back seating surfaces 16, 18of one vehicle seat 14 and the activated heating zone 20 in one of thecushion and back seating surfaces 16, 18 of another vehicle seat 14. Assuch, the method 50 provides power allocation with respect to anycombination of heating zones 20 which are active among any combinationof vehicle seats 14. Furthermore, the controller 22 is also configuredto allocate power between the activated heating zones 20 from anycombination of the aforementioned vehicle components 12 having at leastone of the heating zones 20.

In another embodiment, the controller 22 allocates power such that theactual amount of power consumed by all of the activated heating zones 20is substantially equal to the determined amount of power available. Forexample, if the determined amount of power available is 50% of the totalvehicle power available, the controller 22 may allocate power to theactivated heating zones 20 such that the activated heating zones 20 incombination consume the entire 50% of the total vehicle power availablewithout exceeding the determined amount of power available forconsumption. The vehicle assembly 10 and method may employ such anembodiment to increase heat up time for the activated heating zones 20.

In yet another embodiment, as shown at step 96, the controller 22actively allocates the determined amount of available power between theactivated heating zones 20 according to a predetermined priorityprofile. The predetermined priority profile may prioritize the powerallocation to certain activated heating zones 20 over others. Forexample, allocation of available power may be prioritized to vehicleseats 14 in the front of the vehicle before power is allocated tovehicle seats 14 in the rear of the vehicle. Similarly, allocation ofavailable power may be prioritized to the driver vehicle seat 14 beforethe passenger vehicle seat 14. The predetermined priority profile mayenable the controller 22 to allocate the determined amount of powerbetween the various activated heating zones 20 simultaneously orsequentially.

The predetermined priority profile may be provided by the controller 22itself or from any other suitable component in communication with thecontroller 22. In one embodiment, the predetermined priority profile isprovided from the user input 28. A plurality of predetermined priorityprofiles may be available. An occupant of the vehicle may select adesired one of the plurality of predetermined priority profiles. Thesignal provided from the user input 28 to the controller 22 may includeinformation representing the desired one of the plurality ofpredetermined priority profiles. The controller 22 receives the signaland actively allocates the determined amount of available power betweenthe activated heating zones 20 according to desired on of thepredetermined priority profiles. In another embodiment, thepredetermined priority profile is triggered in the event that availablepower in the vehicle assembly 10 is suddenly reduced to a level which islower than the predetermined amount of power available. In suchinstances, the controller 22 may utilize the predetermined priorityprofile to prioritize allocation of available power to certain vehicleseats 14 over others in order to minimize the effects of the suddenrestriction of available power. The plurality of predetermined priorityprofiles may be stored in memory in any suitable component and lateraccessed.

In still another embodiment, the controller 22 actively allocates powersimultaneously and variably between the activated heating zones 20. Forexample, as depicted in the graph shown in FIG. 4, the controller 22actively allocates a first amount of power to a first heating zone 20upon activation of the first heating zone 20. The controller 22 activelyand simultaneously allocates a second amount of power to a secondheating zone 20 upon activation of the second heating zone 20. Thecontroller 22 actively varies the first amount of power in response toactivation of the second heating zone 20 such that the actual amount ofpower consumed by the first and second heating zones 20 do not incombination exceed the determined amount of power available. In otherwords, the first and second amounts of power do not exceed thedetermined amount of power available.

As shown at step 100, the controller 22 may actively allocate powerbetween the activated heating zones 20 according to the determinedamount of power available in conjunction with the heat demandinformation which is used to determine the amount of power available. Assuch, the purpose of the heat demand information is not limited tomerely determining the amount of power available for consumption. Theheat demand information may be taken into account when activelyallocating the determined amount of power available.

In one embodiment, as shown at step 102, the controller 22 activelyallocates power in accordance with the heat demand information providedfrom the user input 28. For instance, the controller 22 allocates powerto each of the activated heating zones 20 in proportion to how many ofthe heating zones 20 are activated. The controller 22 and/or any othersuitable component may determine how many of the plurality of heatingzones 20 are activated to define a number of heating zones 20 that areactivated. Thereafter, the controller 22 actively allocates thedetermined amount of power available to each of the activated heatingzones 20 in proportion to the number of the activated heating zones 20.In one example, the number of activated heating zones 20 may bedetermined as four. Here, the controller 22 actively allocates 25% ofthe determined amount of power available to each of the four activatedheating zones 20. It is to be appreciated that the number of theactivated heating zones 20 may be defined independent of the user input28, as shown at step 103. The controller 22 may also allocate power inaccordance with the desired heating level for each activated heatingzone 20 which is provided by the signal from the user input 28. Forexample, one of the activated heating zones 20 may demand a high levelof heat and another one of the activated heating zones 20 may demand alow level of heat. In such instances, the controller 22 may activelyallocate more power to the activated heating zone 20 demanding the highlevel of heat as compared to the activating heating zone 20 demandingthe low level of heat. It is to be appreciated that the desired heatinglevel for each activated heating zone 20 may be provided independent ofthe user input 28. As described above, the controller 22 may alsoallocate power in accordance to the predetermined priority profile whichis provided by the user input 28. However, the predetermined prioritysequence may be provided independent of the user input 28.

In another embodiment, as shown at step 104, the controller 22 activelyallocates power to each of the activated heating zones 20 by consideringthe temperature of each of the activated heating zones 20. For example,if the temperature of one of the activated heating zones 20 falls belowa predefined threshold temperature, the controller 22 actively allocatesmore power to that activated heating zone 20. In so doing, thecontroller 22 allocates power away from another activated heating zone20 to compensate for increasing power allocation to the activatedheating zone 20 falling below the predefined threshold temperature.Similarly, if the temperature of one of the activated heating zones 20rises above a predefined threshold temperature, the controller 22 mayactively allocate power away from that activated heating zone 20 andallocate more power to another activated heating zone 20.

In yet another embodiment of actively allocating power according to thegenerated heat demand information, the controller 22 actively allocatespower by considering the actual amount of power consumed, as shown atstep 106. For example, the controller 22, the power monitor 32, and/orany other suitable device may determine that the actual amount of powerbeing consumed by one of the activated heating zones 20 has reached aspecific threshold. Based on this actual amount of power being consumed,the controller 22 may actively allocate less power to that activatedheating zone 20. The controller 22 may allocate power according to theactual power consumed according to other suitable methods notspecifically recited herein. Furthermore, as shown at step 108, thecontroller 22 may actively allocate power by considering the predefinedamount of power to be consumed by each of the activated heating zones.

The controller 22 may consider the power consumption limit when activelyallocating power between the activated heating zones 20 according to thedetermined amount of power available, as shown at step 110. Thecontroller 22 actively allocates power between the activated heatingzones 20 according to the determined amount of power available such thatthe actual amount of power consumed by all of the activated heatingzones 20 does not exceed the amount of power available which wasdetermined by selection of one of the plurality of power consumptionlimits.

In yet another embodiment, as shown at step 112, the controllerconsiders the power demand information generated from the other vehicleelectrical systems 67 when actively allocating power between theactivated heating zones 20 according to the determined amount of poweravailable. Here, the controller 22 may consider any informationgenerally relating to how much power is being demanded or consumed bysuch other vehicle components and/or electrical systems 67 when activelyallocating power.

As mentioned above, the controller 22 is configured to actively allocatepower between the activated heating zones 20 according to the determinedamount of power available such that the actual amount of power consumedby all of the activated heating zones does not exceed the determinedamount of power available for consumption. The controller 22 may do soby utilizing any single one or combination of the aforementionedmethods.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. As isnow apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications andvariations of the present invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope ofthe appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely forconvenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of allocating power in a vehicleassembly, the vehicle assembly including a plurality of vehicle seatseach having a cushion seating surface and a back seating surface, aplurality of heating zones each being disposed in at least one of thecushion and back seating surfaces of at least one of the plurality ofvehicle seats, and a controller configured to control power to theplurality of heating zones, the method comprising the steps of:activating at least two of the plurality of heating zones such that theheating zones emit heat; generating heat demand information associatedwith the activated heating zones; providing the generated heat demandinformation to the controller; utilizing the controller to determine anamount of power available for consumption by all of the activatedheating zones using the heat demand information; and actively allocatingpower between the activated heating zones according to the determinedamount of power available such that an actual amount of power consumedby all of the activated heating zones does not exceed the determinedamount of power available.
 2. The method as set forth in claim 1 furtherincluding a plurality of power consumption limits which are selectable,and wherein the step of utilizing the controller is further defined asdetermining the amount of power available for consumption by selectingone of the plurality of power consumption limits and wherein the step ofactively allocating power is further defined as actively allocatingpower according to the selected one of the plurality of powerconsumption limits.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The method as set forth in claim 1further including the step of determining how many of the plurality ofheating zones are activated to define a number of heating zones that areactivated, and wherein the step of actively allocating power is furtherdefined as actively allocating power to each of the activated heatingzones in proportion to the number of the activated heating zones. 5.(canceled)
 6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step ofgenerating heat demand information is further defined as at least one ofmeasuring an actual amount of power consumed by each of the heatingzones and determining an amount of power to be consumed by each of theheating zones.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicleassembly includes vehicle components other than the heating zones whichconsume power, and further including the step of generating power demandinformation associated with the other vehicle components, providing thegenerated power demand information to the controller, and utilizing thecontroller to determine the amount of power available for consumption byall of the activated heating zones using the generated power demandinformation in conjunction with the heat demand information.
 8. Themethod as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of actively allocatingpower is further defined as at least one of (i) actively allocatingpower such that the actual amount of power consumed by all of theactivated heating zones is substantially equal to the determined amountof power available for consumption and (ii) actively allocating powerbetween the activated heating zones according to a predeterminedpriority profile.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The method as set forth in claim 1wherein the plurality of heating zones includes a first heating zone anda second heating zone, and further including the step of activelyallocating a first amount of power to the first heating zone uponactivation of the first heating zone, actively allocating a secondamount of power to the second heating zone upon activation of the secondheating zone, and actively varying the first amount of power in responseto activation of the second heating zone.
 11. The method as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the step of actively allocating power is further definedas actively allocating power between the activated heating zone in oneof the cushion and back seating surfaces of one vehicle seat and theactivated heating zone in one of the cushion and back seating surfacesof another vehicle seat.
 12. The method as set forth in claim 1 furtherincluding the step of receiving a user input to determine at least oneof which of the heating zones are activated and a desired heating levelassociated with each of the activated heating zones, and wherein thestep of generating heat demand information is further defined asreceiving the user input.
 13. (canceled)
 14. A vehicle assemblycomprising: a plurality of vehicle seats each having a cushion seatingsurface and a back seating surface; a plurality of heating zones eachbeing disposed in at least one of said cushion and back seating surfacesof at least one of said plurality of vehicle seats, each of said heatingzones being configured to be activated and emit heat; and a controllerconfigured to control power to said plurality of heating zones andreceive heat demand information generated in relation to said activatedheating zones; wherein said controller is configured to determine anamount of power available for consumption by all of said activatedheating zones using said heat demand information, and wherein saidcontroller is configured to actively allocate power between saidactivated heating zones according to said determined amount of poweravailable such that an actual amount of power consumed by all of saidactivated heating zones does not exceed said determined amount of poweravailable.
 15. The vehicle assembly of claim 14 further including aplurality of power consumption limits which are selectable, wherein saidcontroller is configured to determine said amount of power available forconsumption by selecting one of said plurality of power consumptionlimits and wherein said controller is configured to actively allocatepower according to said selected one of said plurality of powerconsumption limits.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The vehicle assembly of claim 14wherein said controller is configured to allocate power to each of saidactivated heating zones in proportion to how many of said heating zonesare activated.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The vehicle assembly of claim 14further including a power monitor configured to determine at least oneof an actual amount of power consumed by each of said activated heatingzones and an amount of power to be consumed by each of said activatedheating zones, and wherein said controller is configured to allocatepower to said activated heating zones according to at least one of saidactual amount of power consumed and said amount of power to be consumed.20. The vehicle assembly of claim 14 wherein said controller isconfigured to allocate power such that said actual amount of powerconsumed by all of said activated heating zones is substantially equalto said determined amount of power available.
 21. The vehicle assemblyof claim 14 wherein said controller is configured to allocate powersimultaneously and variably between said activated heating zones. 22.The vehicle assembly of claim 14 wherein said controller is configuredto actively allocate power between said activated heating zonesaccording to a predetermined priority profile.
 23. The vehicle assemblyof claim 14 wherein said controller is configured to allocate powerbetween said activated heating zone in one of said cushion and backseating surfaces of one vehicle seat and said activated heating zone inone of said cushion and back seating surfaces of another vehicle seat.24. (canceled)
 25. The vehicle assembly of claim 22 further including auser input for activating said heating zones, and wherein saidcontroller is configured to receive said user input to determine atleast one of how many of said heating zones are activated, a desiredheating level associated with each of said activated heating zones, andwhich of said predetermined priority profiles is selected. 26.(canceled)
 27. The vehicle assembly claim 14 wherein said vehicleassembly includes vehicle components other than said heating zones whichconsume power, wherein said controller is configured to receive powerdemand information generated in relation to said other vehiclecomponents, and wherein said controller is configured to determine saidamount of power available for consumption by all of said activatedheating zones using said generated power demand information inconjunction with said heat demand information.
 28. A vehicle assemblycomprising: at least one vehicle component; a plurality of heating zonesdefined by said at least one vehicle component, each of said heatingzones being configured to be activated and emit heat; and a controllerconfigured to control power to said plurality of heating zones andreceive heat demand information generated in relation to said activatedheating zones; wherein said controller is configured to determine anamount of power available for consumption by all of said activatedheating zones using said heat demand information, and wherein saidcontroller is configured to actively allocate power between saidactivated heating zones according to said determined amount of poweravailable such that an actual amount of power consumed by all of saidactivated heating zones does not exceed said determined amount of poweravailable.
 29. The vehicle assembly as set forth in claim 28 whereinsaid at least one vehicle component is further defined as at least oneof a vehicle seat, a steering wheel, a minor, and a window.
 30. Thevehicle assembly as set forth in claim 29 wherein said heat demandinformation is defined as at least one of a temperature of each of saidactivated heating zones, an actual amount of power consumed by each ofsaid activated heating zones, an amount of power to be consumed by eachof said activated heating zones, a number of said heating zones whichare activated, a desired heating level associated with each of saidactivated heating zones, and a selected one of a plurality ofpredetermined priority profiles.
 31. The vehicle assembly as set forthin claim 30 wherein said controller is configured to allocate power tosaid activated heating zones according to at least one of saidtemperature of each of said activated heating zones, said actual amountof power consumed by each of said activated heating zones, said amountof power to be consumed by each of said activated heating zones, saidnumber of said heating zones which are activated, said desired heatinglevel associated with each of said activated heating zones, and saidselected one of said plurality of predetermined priority profiles. 32.The vehicle assembly as set forth in claim 28 further including aplurality of power consumption limits which are selectable, wherein saidcontroller is configured to determine said amount of power available forconsumption by selecting one of said plurality of power consumptionlimits, and wherein said controller is configured to simultaneously andvariably allocate power between said activated heating zones accordingto said selected one of said plurality of power consumption limits. 33.The vehicle assembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein the vehicleassembly includes vehicle components other than said heating zones whichconsume power, wherein said controller is configured to receive powerdemand information generated in relation to said other vehiclecomponents, and wherein said controller is configured to determine saidamount of power available for consumption by all of said activatedheating zones using said power demand information in conjunction withsaid heat demand information.